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Supporting Children’s Learning Difficulties

According to Australian studies, up to 18% of children have a significant social and emotional problem that requires professional help: 10% have learning difficulties; and 5-8% of children experience a form of attention deficit disorder, with or without hyperactivity (ADD/ADHD).

Learning Difficulties

In each Australian classroom, it is likely that two to three children experience problems with learning. These children don’t meet the “normal” requirements of classroom learning.

There are two categories of learning difficulties:

Global learning difficulties or the “slow learners” find all aspects of learning and understanding difficult regardless of how they are taught.

Specific learning difficulties (SpLDs), which include dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADD/ ADHD and auditory processing disorder, are those that usually have average or above average intelligence who have specific difficulties which affect the way information is learned and processed. SpLDs can also co- occur with difficulties on the autistic spectrum such as Asperger’s syndrome.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

ADHD affects up to 9.5% of school-aged children in Australia and New Zealand. Children with ADHD have an imbalance of dopamine and noradrenalin, which alters their behaviour. This imbalance affects the area of the brain involved in planning complex cognitive behaviours, personal expression, decision-making and moderating social behaviour.